We often know very well what can make a positive difference to our well-being. We\u2019ve read or heard about the actions that can create positive change. And yet we can\u2019t act! We fail when it comes to implementing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re dreaming of creating new habits, this article offers five ways to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you ever realized that when you must deal with a problem that has an immediate impact, such as relieving a migraine, soothing a backache, or filling the empty fridge, you don\u2019t hesitate for a second? But if you\u2019ve forgotten to take your vitamins, do your stretching exercises or the fridge is empty of fruit and vegetables, you\u2019re much slower to remedy the situation? And yes, it\u2019s a challenge to put in place healthy habits to gradually increase your level of well-being. Your brain has a short-term vision: acting to prevent is much more difficult than acting to cure! <\/strong>\n When you can\u2019t get into a new habit, your first reflex is probably self-criticism! You tell yourself: \u201cOh, I\u2019m not disciplined enough. I don\u2019t have what it takes. I don\u2019t have the willpower. I\u2019ll never make it\u201d. With that kind of talk, it\u2019s easy to give up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s face it, if you fail, it\u2019s not your personality that\u2019s the problem, it\u2019s your method!<\/strong> Blaming yourself is counter-productive and demotivating. You can\u2019t improvise change, you have to prepare for it. Instead, focus on finding solutions, learning from them, and starting afresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can<\/strong> define a clear objective, draw up an action plan, consider the obstacles and possible alternatives for getting around them. You can ask yourself what support you need and think about celebrating each step of your transformation. You\u2019ll get there by applying the tools that suit you best and choosing the right method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you one of those people who do something here and something there? For example, eat healthy for a day or two, go to bed earlier once in a while, or work out hard for 15 days and then do nothing? If so, unfortunately the lack of consistency is preventing you from implementing a change. Your brain needs rituals. It loves habits!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you ask yourself every morning if you\u2019re going to brush your teeth? I guess not! It\u2019s part of your ritual. It\u2019s normal, natural, habitual. It doesn\u2019t require any mental energy or procrastination: you just do it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And therein lies one of the keys to change!<\/strong> Instead of doing three long fifty-minute meditations every week, try a short ten-minute meditation every morning. And on days when you don\u2019t have ten minutes, three minutes is enough to maintain the ritual. You can also try associating this change with a specific time, place or event that will remind you that it\u2019s for now: when you wake up in the morning, when you turn on your computer, when you leave your office, after dinner, before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In today\u2019s society, many people think that to succeed, they have to do it alone. They see asking for support as a weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And yet, it\u2019s been shown that it\u2019s difficult to create change on your own, because your brain has been formatted to connect.<\/strong> For millennia, your ancestors have always been part of a community, a tribe, a group. They worked together to get ahead. In fact, community support was still very strong less than a hundred years ago! If you\u2019re looking to implement new habits, you\u2019ll need a support system.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To act, try to find an environment or support where you can discover, learn and test these tools: for example, by intentionally setting aside time for practice, or by taking part in a program or series of workshops focused on action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to taking care of ourselves, we\u2019re often good at talking about it, reading about it, dreaming about it, making plans, sometimes even giving advice\u2026 but when it comes to acting, it\u2019s a different story!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFortunately, there are ways to remedy the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTip #1: Don\u2019t make a method a personal problem.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Track #2: Focus on consistency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tip #3: Don\u2019t go it alone!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Track #4: Take action!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n